Winter league action with Pirates’ players and friends on Sunday
VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
Tiburones de La Guaira 7, Caribes de Anzoategui 6 (Game 1)
In the first of two 7-inning games, Los Tiburones attacked for 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th, which included a grand slam. Los Caribes caught up with 2 runs in the 4th and 3 runs in the 5th. Los Tiburones answered with a run in the bottom of the 5th, on a single and a double, then held on for the win.
Tiburones 4, Caribes 3 (Game 2)
This time Los Tiburones had to score in the bottom of the 7th to get the win. Each team scored one run in the 2nd, then Los Caribes added 2 runs in the top of the 5th. After a lead-off single, CF Gorkys Hernandez dropped down a sacrifice bunt. The bunt was successful, and a throwing error left Hernandez safe on base as well. Another bunt moved the runners into scoring position, and both scored on a single into left field. Los Tiburones scored one run in the bottom of the 5th, and went into the bottom of the 7th trailing by one run. That inning began with a double, then a bunt and a single tied the game at 3-3. Another single loaded the bases with two outs. The winning run scored for Los Tiburones when a fly ball to left field turned into an error.
Cardenales de Lara 3, Leones de Caracas 2
This game was called in the 5th inning with two outs and no runners on base. Los Cardenales scored 3 runs with a triple and two singles in the 3rd. Los Leones started a come-back with a 2-run homer in the 4th, but ran out of time. C Ramon Cabrera was hitless in his two plate appearances. 2B Corey Wimberly also was 0-for-2 but with a walk. Jose Ascanio pitched in relief for Los Leones, entering the game in the 3rd inning with two out and one on. He gave up a single then ended the inning with a strikeout. Ascanio came back out to pitch the 4th and retired the side in order.
DOMINICAN LEAGUE
Leones del Escogido 6, Toros del Este 3
Los Leones jumped out to a good start with a 3-run homer in the top of the 1st. CF Starling Marte, who had walked, came in to score on the homer. Los Toros fired back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, on three singles and a sacrifice fly. Escogido added a run in the 3rd with a solo homer, and another in the 4th on two singles and two ground outs. Los Toros made it 5-3 in the bottom of the 4th, on a walk and an RBI double by SS Pedro Ciriaco. Marte began the top of the 7th with a single, and was removed for a pinch-runner. A walk and a fielding error later, Los Leones had picked up an extra insurance run. Ciriaco also singled in the 2nd inning. 1B Matt Hague went 0-for-5 in the game for Los Toros.
Estrellas de Oriente 2, Gigantes del Cibao 1
Los Gigantes were held to just 2 hits and one run, with the run assisted by a wild pitch. Los Estrellas scored their first run with a lead-off homer in the 4th. After the homer, and two outs, two throwing errors and an RBI single by C Dusty Brown brought in what would turn out to be the winning run. Brown also walked, as did LF Jake Fox, who was officially 0-for-3 at the plate.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
Leones de Ponce 5, Indios de Mayaguez 3
A single and a 2-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 14th finally ended the game with a win for Los Leones. Ponce had scored one run in the 2nd inning. SS Benji Gonzalez singled in that rally, one of three singles in the inning. A 2-run homer gave Los Leones a 3-0 lead in the 5th. Los Indios scored an unearned run in the top of the 6th with a fielding error and two ground outs. In the top of the 9th, with former Pirate farmhand on the mound for Los Leones, Los Indios tied the score with a triple, an RBI ground out, and a solo homer. After 4,5 scoreless extra innings, Los Leones got the win in the bottom of the 14th. Rodriguez was charged with a (rare for him) Blown Save.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
Mayos de Navojoa 6, Venados de Mazatlan 5 (Game 1)
Los Mayos and Los Venados traded the lead back and forth in this 7-inning game, until Navojoa scored twice in the bottom of the 6th to take a 5-4 lead. Los Venados began the top of the 7th with a single, and Rogelio Noris came on to pinch-run. A sacrifice bunt moved Noris to second base, then a ground out advanced him to third. Noris scored on a wild pitch to tie the score at 5-5. But a single, a bunt, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly gave Los Mayos the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
Mayos 13, Venados 4 (Game 2)
Los Mayos scored in all but one inning of the night cap, including four consecutive 3-run innings. Rogelio Noris pinch hit again in the second game, leading off the 6th inning with a solo homer. Three more singles, a walk, and an error after the home run gave Los Venados 4 runs in the inning, but it was too late to catch up. Pirates’ farmhand Jovany Lopez pitched in relief to begin the 5th inning for Los Venados. He got a strikeout, but then gave up two walks, a homer, and a double. He was relieved at that point.
AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE
Perth Heat 18, Canberra Cavalry 0
The Cavalry posted 8 hits, including 1B Michael Wells’ 4-for-4, but they left 11 runners on base and could not push a run across the plate. C Travis Scott went 0-for-3 with a walk for Canberra. Meanwhile, the Heat were blasting away. They were leading 10-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, when the scored another 8 runs, for a total of 17 hits and 18 runs. 1B Aaron Baker went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a walk, and an RBI. He singled in the 3-run 3rd inning, and walked and scored in the 5th inning when the Heat scored 4 runs. The Heat sent 10 batters to the plate in the 8th. Baker he the second of three singles to lead off the inning. A walk forced in one run, and a grand slam cleared the bases. A walk and a hit batter followed, all before an out was recorded. An RBI double added 2 runs, and a single and another double make it 8 runs in the inning.
